Biblical allusions etc. Supplemental slides/info/facts to contribute to understanding of The Grapes of Wrath

Transcription

1 Biblical allusions etc. Supplemental slides/info/facts to contribute to understanding of The Grapes of Wrath

2 Excerpt from The Parable of the Lost Son (Luke 15:11-32) 11 Jesus continued: There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, Father, give me my share of the estate. So he divided his property between them. 13 Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need When he came to his senses he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21 The son said to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. 22 But the father said to his servants, Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found. So they began to celebrate. As you read chapters 4-6, consider which character is an allusion to the prodigal son? Why? Use textual evidence to support your answer.

3 Analogy noun: a comparison between two different things for the purpose of explanation/clarification NOTE: Metaphors and similes are tools used to draw an analogy. Analogy is more extensive and elaborate than either a simile or a metaphor. Examples: Just as a sword is the weapon of a warrior, a pen is the weapon of a writer. Just as a caterpillar comes out of its cocoon, so we must come out of our comfort zone. TIP: LOOK FOR ANALOGIES IN CH.5

4 The new leadership in Egypt embarks on a campaign to subdue the Israelites, forcing them into slavery. Moses organizes the Israelites and confronts the Pharaoh, demanding the release of the Hebrew people. Moses performs a miracle, turning his staff into a snake, but Pharaoh is unimpressed and only increases the workload for the Israelites. God responds by inflicting a series of ten plagues on Egypt. God turns the Nile River into blood, causes frogs to cover Egypt, turns all of the dust in Egypt to gnats, and causes swarms of flies to come into the houses of Pharaoh and his officials. God then strikes Egypt s livestock with a disease, creates festering boils on humans and animals, and sends thunder, hail, and fire that destroy crops, livestock, and people. God sends swarms of locusts, and covers Egypt with a darkness that can be felt (10:21). The tenth and final plague kills all the firstborn males in Egypt. Before the plague, Moses instructs the Hebrew people to cover their door posts in the blood of a sacrificed lamb as a sign for God to protect their homes from his killings. Pharaoh relents and releases the more than 600,000 Israelites. Guided by a pillar of cloud during the day and by fire during the night, Moses and the Israelites head west toward the sea. -SparkNotes Old Testament Israelites These words correspond to The Bible's description of the plagues that forced the Israelites into Exodus: Then the Lord said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand toward the sky so that hail will fall all over Egypt--on people and animals and on everything growing in the fields of Egypt." When Moses stretched out his staff toward the sky, the Lord sent thunder and hail, and lightning flashed down to the ground. So the Lord rained hail on the land of Egypt; hail fell and lightning flashed back and forth. It was the worst storm in all the land of Egypt since it had become a nation. Throughout Egypt hail struck everything in the fields--both people and animals; it beat down everything growing in the fields and stripped every tree. (The Holy Bible, Exod. 10:22-26) How does this connect to Grapes? (identify allusions)

5 Song of Solomon (collection of love poems interpreted by scholars from various religions) I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys. Like a lily among thorns is my darling among the maidens. Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest is my lover among the young men. I delight to sit in his shade, and his fruit is sweet to my taste. He has taken me to the banquet hall, and his banner over me is love. Strengthen me with raisins, refresh me with apples, for I am faint with love. His left arm is under my head, and his right arm embraces me. Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you by the gazelles and by the does of the field: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires. Listen! My lover! Look! Here he comes, leaping across the mountains, bounding over the hills. My lover is like a gazelle or a young stag. Look! There he stands behind our wall, gazing through the windows, peering through the lattice. My lover spoke and said to me, Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come with me. See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land. The fig-tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance. Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me. My dove in the clefts of the rock, in the hiding-places on the mountainside, show me your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely. Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom. My lover is mine and I am his; he browses among the lilies. Until the day breaks and the shadows flee, turn, my lover, and be like a gazelle or like a young stag on the rugged hills. 1) subject? 2) tone (author s attitude toward the subject)? 3) Prove tone. Analyze DIDLS. 4) Compare and contrast the speaker in this text to Rosasharn from Grapes of Wrath. Consider personality traits, conflicts, etc.

6 hygge, a Danish term defined as a quality of coziness and comfortable(ness) that [conveys] a feeling of contentment or well-being. Pronounced hoo-guh, the word has no actual English translation; however cozy comes close. Part of Speech: noun, adjective, verb, or compound noun (hyggebukser- aka oversized, flannel, distressed pants never worn in public but secretly treasured. Etymology: 1600 s Norwegian term hugga meaning to comfort or to console. Related to English word hug. Winter = most hygge time of year; candles, slippers, wool, pastries, sheepskin rugs, lattes with milk-foam hearts, fireplace. Hygge can be found in a bakery and in the dry heat of a sauna in winter. Wholesome and nourishing. Danish doctors recommend tea and hygge as a cure for the common cold. One may hygge alone wrapped in a flannel blanket with a cup of tea; however, the true expression of hygge is joining with loved ones in a relaxed and intimate atmosphere. Evaluate the Joads hygge. Explain what they do to have it or what they could do to improve it.

7 The Promised Land The Hebrew Bible tells of the arduous (difficult) journey of the Israelites who had suffered under slavery in Egypt and left to seek the Promised Land. When they came to what is now known as the valley of Eshcol, they cut down a cluster of grapes so large that it took two of them to carry it on a pole between them. They also took samples of the pomegranates and figs (Numbers, 13:23) Compare to the Joad family s dreams and desires about arriving in California. Consider Grandpa. Find a passage that parallels this text.

8 According to the New Testament, Jesus Christ spoke seven times while dying on the cross to redeem mankind. Jesus looked down just after he was crucified and said, forgive them, for they do not know what they do" (Gospel of Luke 23:34). In Ch 26, Steinbeck alludes to this literary passage. Find the passage in the novel. Note the parallels? What is the effect? Why did Steinbeck include this biblical allusion in The Grapes of Wrath?

9 The Joads and the Book of Job: The Joad family can be directly compared to the eighteenth book of the Hebrew Bible (also known as the Old Testament),the Book of Job. The Biblical story makes an example of people whose faith is tested through struggle. Satan visits God and God asks him, 'Have you seen my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth - a man of complete integrity. He fears God and has nothing to do with evil.' (Job 1:8). God permits Satan to test Job in any way, without harming him physically. After losing all his material processions and family, Job remains strong in his faith, although he struggles and wrestles with such dramatic changes in his life. We observe a similar situation with the Joad family, who experience drastic changes and great suffering, and who, like Job, survive due to their inner strength or faith.

10 Noah and the Flood: When the Joad family crams their car with their processions, it can be likened to Noah and his family in Genesis, who spend time loading the ark with animals, as God has ordered. The Joads must also gather all the important things they need in order to ensure survival. As we continue reading the novel, consider Noah Joad s connection to the river and the water, as well as his relationship to the Joad family as a whole.

11 Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground Genesis 2.7